Blocking attacks against another character.

[zylosan]

Do we have some rules for one character attempting an active defense on behalf of another? Specifically placing yourself in the line of fire to defend others or block attacks against them with a ready sheild.

[Neroange]

I don't know of any hard and fast rules, but good theater says you should be able to do it but be punished for doing it.

For Blocking: Roll against normal block+ the shields defense bonus, but this makes the shield unready and the player will have to take a turn to ready it.
Also (and this is the punishment) Make a roll against DX- the shields DB, if the player make the roll all defense roll are at -4 for a full turn,
If the player fail the DX roll they don't have any defense rolls for a full turn (your trying not to fall). NOTE:I would let the player attack on their turn but at a -4, just attack no maneuvering.

For Parrying: roll against parry -3, then roll against DX -3, if the player make the roll no penalty, if they miss by 3 or less the weapon is unready, if they miss by more they drop the weapon.

For Dodging: see Basic Set p. 375 and p.377 for Sacrificial Dodge

Parry is easier because of its reach

Edit: rolls are against DX or weapons or shield skill.
Edit: for blocking shield is unready only if the DX/Shield roll is missed, also if the roll is made defense rolls are -2 (not -4), and -4 if the roll is missed while you regain your balance.

[Nymdok]

Originally Posted by zylosan

Do we have some rules for one character attempting an active defense on behalf of another? Specifically placing yourself in the line of fire to defend others or block attacks against them with a ready sheild.

Dodge - Sacrificial Dodge (Basic Set)
Block - Shield Wall Training (Perk from Martial Arts)
Parry - Im not sure, but I let players do it :)

[Joseph Paul]

I have done this sort of thing and I would have to say that it really isn't that dangerous to the shieldman to do so.

I never felt that my shield (48" high and 30" across the face - good fit for DB3) was unready when I stuck it out to my right to cover my spearman or when I stepped up into a hole in the line to cover people from the spears that were shooting into that hole.

With smaller shields I have intercepted shots that were not coming at me just to be annoying to the OpFor. It is usually a quick snappy move meant to throw a long weapon off it's target. Against swords I just block it. Anything that is not landing on my side is good.

[zylosan]

I dont see any reason to penalize block or parry massivly for defending another character when both sacrifical dodge options provide no downside for the attempt. In particular I have the impression that when forming a defensive line or fighting in tandom with a long weapon user the whole point of the shield man is to block strikes at the more defenseless weapon user.

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by zylosan

I dont see any reason to penalize block or parry massivly for defending another character when both sacrifical dodge options provide no downside for the attempt.

Getting hit by the attack yourself isn't a downside?

In particular I have the impression that when forming a defensive line or fighting in tandom with a long weapon user the whole point of the shield man is to block strikes at the more defenseless weapon user.

That's what Shield Wall Training does.

[Ulzgoroth]

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

That's what Shield Wall Training does.

One of the things, anyway.

[zylosan]

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

Getting hit by the attack yourself isn't a downside?

I was kind of operating from the assumption that intercepting the attack allowed the blocking/parrying etc to become the target of the attack. Not to parry the attack and negate any successful strike.

[Bruno]

Originally Posted by Nymdok

Parry - Im not sure, but I let players do it :)

Sacrificial Parry is a perk ;) It's easily a perk you could give for free, mind you.

Aside: When did we get advertisements on this forum?

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by Bruno

Aside: When did we get advertisements on this forum?

Today, AFAICT, there's a thread.